June 27, 2019 - How do researchers on the ground get data about their experiments that are flying around the Earth on the International Space Station (ISS)? NASA's Payloads Operations & Integration Center (POIC) is the primary science and research command post for the ISS investigations and payloads.

The POIC -- housed at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama -- coordinates all United States science and commercial experiments on the ISS. The center also manages communications between the ISS crew and researchers worldwide. The POIC's unique capabilities allow science experts and researchers around the world to perform cutting-edge science in the unique microgravity environment of space.

At this meetup, Penny J. Pettigrew, ISS Payload Communications Manager (PAYCOM), talked about the collaborations that can take years to coordinate with scientists before the experiments make it to outer space. She shared some incredible stories about how the data collected flows back from astronauts to researchers and the obstacles that are overcome along the way.

Attendees had great questions and got to pick up some cool NASA swag! Make sure to check out the next Data+Creativity event and join the conversation.